China, US capable of ironing out differences

The scrambling for a bigger say and greater influence between China and the US on a series of issues is in essence a result of such ideological discrepancies. But what China pursues is "a reasonable development space and right of say" under the framework of the extant international order. It is not seeking to challenge the core interests of the US.

Therefore, there is no reason for Beijing and Washington not to work for peaceful coexistence and mutual coordinated development.

Since China and the US share many common interests, they should show the world their ability to deal with issues of common concern. The cooperation and understanding China and the US have demonstrated at the UN climate change conference in Paris and over cyberspace security are proof that they don't have to engage in a "life-or-death" struggle and the two countries have every reason to pursue common development.

One superpower like the US is enough for the world; there is no need for a second of the same size because the world cannot endure the consequences. China knows that full well. So any talk of China trying to write another set of rules to counter those inked under the US leadership is baseless. What China pursues is a better world.

Mutual understanding is vital to the peaceful coexistence of China and the US. If the US changed its ingrained "American-style thinking", then there would emerge a broader space for Beijing and Washington to work together for mutual benefit.

We need not worry too much about the future of Sino-US ties, because Washington and Beijing are capable of maintaining the relations and offering better times to the world.

The author is a senior research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China.